Musical instrument



C. H. BULLIS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed April 27 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet- 1 L 1J1? -37 1e I %-68 25 7 74 v as '84 as A mm l INVENTOR.

1: T0 66 BULL ls ATTORNEY.

Dec. 18, 1928. 1,695,574-

c. H. BULLIS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed April 27, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

v Cami-row h. BULL/6 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 18, 1928.

CARLETON n. BULLIS, or CLEVELAND, 01110.,

, MUSICAL ms'rmmnnr.

I Application filed April 27, 1922. Serial No. 556,910.

This invention relates to musical instruments. I

There has been a long felt need for an instrument of convenient size, within the means of the average pipe organist, by which he may obtain pipe organ practice at home. The reed organ, in its various commercial forms, has proven unsatisfactory for this purpose. The same may be said of the piano, although many pipe organists prefer thepiano to the reed organ for practice purposes, in spite of the marl-zed differences in the touch and sound characteristics of the pipe organ and piano.

The general aim of the present invention the provision of an instrument embodying the above requirements and well ada ted for the Jul-poses named. This is accomplished by couibining in a sin le unitary instrument a pneumatic action of the type ordinarily employed in player pianos, together with keyboard i'uechanism closely approximating, both in arrangement and touch, the control mechanisn'i commonly employed in pipe organs and to which the action is made to respond.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

Two embodiments of this invention are diagrammatically illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Figure 1 3: a diagrammatic illustration of a musical instrument constructed in accord ance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detail of a form of electric coupler mechanism employed.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a musical instrument embodying certain novel features of the present invention and in which the striker pneumatics are controlled by strictly pneumatic means.

The instrument shown in Figure 1, as well as that in Figure 3, includes a case or cabinet of appropriate form, enclosing the usual set of piano strings and cooperating hammers as indicated at 11 and 12, respectively. The hammers are hingedly mounted upon a fixed rail 13 and separately actuated in a well known manner by the striker pneumatics 14. In this instance, each pneumatic 14 has a separate connection 15jwith one of a series of levers 16, each of which is operatively engaged with oneof a series of levers17, which in turn are connected with their respective hammers 12, so that when any of the several striker pucun'iatics 14 are collapsed, the corre sponding hammer is driven against its string.

The usual adjustable hammer rail 18 is preferably provided for varying the throw of the hammers. Each of the strings is also preferably normally engaged by an individual damper 19, one of which is herein shown pivotally mounted as at- 20 upon the fixed rail' 13, in position to be rocked away from the string by the tail 21 of the lever 17 when the corresponding hammer is actuated.

The striker pneumatics 1 1 are shownarranged in a triple stack, the several pneumatics of each" set being separately controlled by the usual primary valves (not shown), contained within the valve-blocks 22 and in turn controlled by the usual'ducts 23. The valve blocks 22 are in constant communication with an appropriate source of suction through appropriate conduits 24 and 25, the several pneumatics 14 being selectively subjected to this suction by the admission of air through their corresponding ducts .23. Since the mechanism thus far described constitutes a pneumatic action of well known construction, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

In carrying out the purposes of the present invention the several ducts 23, and thus the entire pneumatic action, are placed under the control of the operator by the use of mechanism closely approximating that commonly used in standard pipe organs. In each of the instruments shown, this mechanism comprises pipe organ keyboards, in the form of two manuals 26 and 26, and a pedal keyboard 27, together with a propriate operative connections between t e keyboards and ducts. Thus, in the instrument illustrated in Figure 1, an electrical system is interposed between the keyboards and ducts, while in the instrument shown in Figure 3 the system of control is strictly pneumatic.

In the instrument of Figure 1, the admission of atmospheric air to each of the ducts 23 is controlled by a valve 28, carried by a lever 29, pivotally' mounted, as at 30, upon a fixed rail 31. Each lever 29 carries an armature 32 cooperating with and actuated by an 'electro-magnet 33. One side of eachelectromagnet is connected through a lead 34 to one 3 1 side of a battery 35 or other convenient electrical source, while the other sideis connected to an electric coupler mechanism of well known form. It will sufiice here to say that this coupler mechanism includes a switch board or panel provided upon one face thereof with a series of horizontally spaced, vertically extending metal strips 36 constituting electric contact plates. The number t contactplates corresponds to the number of, piano hammers and consequently to the num ber of electromagnets employed. Each electromagnet is electrically connected with (.10 of the contact plates through a lead 3 plurality of transversely cxtendii s bfll'S as, 39, l0, 41. i2. is, 2 ranged at one side of the switch boar c jacent the contact plates. Each is pivotally mounted for rocking movement abou a horizontal axis l6 and is cont-rolled by a pneumatic l? connected thereto b a link it". Each bar is provided with a ot contac lingers 49 arranged to simultaneoi K certain oi the contact plates 36 when the bar is rocked to the position shown in Figure 2.

The several switch bars normally .ie positions in which the linger "9 are out otli contact with the contact pl. In this positiointhe pneumaticsli are expanded. T rock any of the bars to the position of Figure 2 its corresponding' pneumatic i? is collapsed. The several pneum v a sociated with a valve block 50 similar to th: e en'iployed in connection with the striker pneuniatics 14. so that the collapse of ar selcc ed pneumatic l? is cl'l ected by the admission of atmospheric air through the duct 51 associated therewith.

The se *eral ducts 51 are controlled by separate stops 52. In this instance. each stop is pivotally supported, as at and is 1. .co ided at one end with a valve for cooperation with a duct 51 and at its other end with a finger piece 55 projecting outwardlv om the orator. The normal position of is such that the end oi the di by the valves 51. By depipiece of any of the stops, the v to open pos';-ion. air is admit responding duct 51. and the matic i7 is ing switch c red pneucollapsed to rocx the correspondbar to the position of Figure 2.

In the instrument shown in Figure 1. each switch bar carries the usual bundle 59 of insulated wires having individual electrical l9 carried by the bar. Bars 38. 39 and -10 are associated with the upper manual number oi lingers 4-9 of each corr h to the number of keys in the upper manual, each wire of the bundle 56 having an electrical connection 58 with a contact point 59 beneath one of the keys. Simil: .l the number of fingers carried by each bar ll and 4, corresponds to the number of keys in the lower manual 96, the wires of each bun 'lle 56 thereof having separate connections 58 with contact points beneath the respect re keys of that manual. There is also a co:

point 59 beneath each key of the pedal board 27 corresponding to a linger on each of the the bars 44 and i5, separate electrical conuectious 58 being established between these contact points and the respective wires of the bundles 56. Each key pivotally mounted. as at (it). upon a fixed 1" il 61 and is :ieldabl supported by a spring 62. Each key earn a contact finger (53 electrically connected. as indi 'ated at (34;. with the other side i the battery 3?, and arranged to engage the contact points 59 therebeneath when the key depressed.

Let it be assumed. for plll'llf)f 't-1 of explanation, hat the instrument has a compass oi" it live notes. The same number of hammers 12, striker pneumai ice 1 l. ducts 2 electro-magnets 33 and contact plates 36 are. 01 course, provided. Each ma ual contains :1 smaller number oi? keys, say sixty one. and the pedal boaro only thirty two. Each ot the switch bars 38, 39, 40, 41, 4-2 and '-lll, then carries sixty one contact fingers 49, while each of the bars at and 45 is provided with hirl'y two. The contact lingers of each (.l the bars and 41 are arranged to make and -)iJ break contact with those plates 36 correspoiuling to the sixty one notes at the upper end c l the compass; the contact fingers of each of the bars and ii?) are arranged to make break contact with those plates 36 corresponding to the sixty one notes at the lower end of the comp; and the contact ling of each of the bars 39 and 42 are disposed to make and break contact with an intermediate ran-re of sixty one plates. for instance, twelve note: below the first mentioned range and twelve notes above the other. The contact fingers of bar 4% are disposed to cooperate with those plates corresponding to the lowermost thirty two notes oi the compass and contact lingers of bar 45 are disposed to cooperate w:

i ve

pointed out. lVhen, for instance. one of the stops 1s manipulated to ctl'ect rocking oi the bar 38 to the position of Figure the con. tact points 59 of the upper manual are cl trically connected with the sixty one pla c 36 corresponding to upper si. y one notes of the scale. A depression of any key oi t manual then closes the circuit from the b tery 35, through lead 6%, contact finger (i of the selected key. contact point 59 contact finger 49 of the switch bar. contact plate 36 el ctromagnet 33 and back to the battery. The electromagnet is thus excited to lift the armature and valve 28. air admitted through the duct and the corresponding pneumatic 14 is actuated to drive its 1:11- mer against the string. The various notes of this particular range are thus made to respond to the keys of the upper manual. liv operation of the bars 39 and 40 in a sim 1-- manner, other ranges of notes may be made to respond to the upper manual. In this way, one or more notes may be made to simultaneously respond to the depression of a single key of the upper manual dependent upon the setting'of the stops. Similarly, various ranges of notes may be made to respond to the lower manual or tothe pedal keyboard.

In order to obtain a swell efi'ect, mechanism controlled by a swell pedal is prefcrably provided. In this instance, this incohanism includes mechanical connections, by which the throw of the hammers is varied, and additional means for varying the intensity of the air tension within the pneumatic action. To vary the throw of the hammers, the hammer rail 18 is pivotally mounted, as at 66, in a well known manner, and is proided with a lever arm 67, connected through a link 68 with a lever 69, pivotally mounted in the bottom of the cabinet. This lever is actuated and controlled by the swell pedal 65 through a link 70 connected with an. arm 71 secured to the pedal. A friction clamp 7 2 preferably employed to yieldably retain the lever 69 and swell pedal in any position in which they may be set.

An expression neumatic73, such, for instance, as that escribed in the patent to Frank J. Clark, No. 1,384,010, is preferably employed for modifying the air tension in the pneumatic action. This pneumatic 73 tends to collapse under the influence of the air tension in the conduit 24 to move the valve 74 thereof toward open position and thus permit air to bleed into the conduit to main tain a definite air tension therein. The col lapse of pneumatic 73 is resisted by a spring 76, whose tension thus determines the degree of vacuum in the conduit 24 and the player action. This spring is connected to one end of a'lever 77, rockably mounted u on a fixed pivot 78, and connected at its ot or end to the swell pedal 65 through a link 79 and lever 80. Thus it will'be seen that when the swell pedal 65 is rocked in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1), the hammer rail 18 is shifted to increase the stroke of the hammers and the tension in spring 76 is simultaneously increased to increase the air tension in the pneumatic action. The tone volume is thus materially increased. To decrease the tone volume the pedal 65 is rocked in the other direction.

The instrument shown is also equipped with a sustaining pedal 81. This pedal carries a valve 82 which normally prevents the admission of air to a duct 83. Duct 83 leads to a valve block 84-. controlling a pneumatic 85 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the striker pneumatics 14. Pneumatic 85 is o eratively connected through a link 86 Wit a rail 87 pivotally mounted adjacent the lower ends of the damper levers 88. The arrangement is such that when the pedal 81 is in valve closing position, the pneumatic 85 isexpanded and the rail 87 is out of engagement with the damper levers. When the pedal is rocked in a counter clockwise direction, however, valve 82 is lifted to open position, air is admitted through duct 83 and the pneumatic 85 is collapsed. This causes the rail 87 to be rocked against the lower ends of the damper levers to thus withdraw the dampers 19 into inac-' tive position out of engagement with the strings.

In the instrument illustrated in Figure 3', i

the ducts 23 corresponding to the several striker pneumatics 14 are controlled by strictly pneumatic means. The are all shown connected with a bleed ox 89 of standard type, which may or may not be employed in the instrument first described. Each duct 23 is connected to two ducts 90 leading toseparate fixed rails 91 associated with the two manuals 26 and. 26, while some A spring 96 yieldably retains each valve .1

in closed positioni Similarly, each pedal key is provided with a valve 97, cooperating with a duct 92, and with a spring 98 which yieldably retains the valve in closed position. When any of the keys of either manual or of the pedal board is depressed, valve 95 or 97 is lifted to open the corresponding duct ISO 90 or 92, and the corresponding striker pneu-' matic 14 is collapsed to drive the corresponding hammer against a string. I

It is obvious that, if desired, this instrument may be provided'with expression and sustaining mechanisms, such, for instance, as those herein above described.

Various changes maybe made in either embodiment of the invention hereinabove described, without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A self contained musical instrumentcomprising a cabinet, a manual keyboard attached thereto, a pedal keyboard attached thereto, a pneumatic action including a plurality of striker pneumatics contained in said cabinet, means under the control of said manual keyboard for controlling the operation of a series of said pne'umatics, and means under the control of said pedal keyboard for controlling the operation of another series of said pneumatics.

2. A self contained musical instrument comprising a cabinet, a manual keyboard attached thereto, a pedal keyboard attached thereto, a pneumatic action including a plu- (d n; of t 'ics contained in sail means un- 'i' or placii'ig ie control of ,he conti'oi at iIStI'UHIGHt' of keyaction 'umatics oi. Calves l mien er the .chu r selec ruinent for k, a cabinet, a plurality oil:

1 i i w, i

a manur icin ne9a574 7. In a musical instrument the combination a pneumatic action including a set of ker pneumatics, means including a manual and pedal keyboard for controlling the operation of said meumatics, and means under the control ot the ope 'ator for varying: the air pressure in said action to vary tone intensity.

ti A self contained musical instrument enniprising a keyboard, a pneumatic action inciuding a pluralit o't striker mcumatics. .'1i':"-l for (:cuitrollinp; the action of said pneumatics, electrically operated means for eiiectlag the actuation of said valves, and n'ianually controlled electric coupler mechanism associated with said means ant said *boa rd for rendering certain of said Valves FOUSiVO to said keyboard.

2 -r self-contained musi .al instrument for the purpose named comprising a cabinet, a ries of strings and cooperating hammers wrein, power operated means for operating l hammers, a pedal keyboard attached. to l cabinet, a manual keyboard attached to said cabinet, individual controlsforsaidlmmmerge, and. means under the control of the xator for placi 1g certain of said controls rnder the control of said manual or pedal ioards selectively.

it). A self-contained musical instrument for the purpose named comprising a cabinet, r series of strings and cooperating hammers the ein, power operated means for operating hammers, a pedal keyboard attached to sun cabinet, a manual keyboard attached to said cabinet, individual controls for said hammer, means under the control of the operator for placing certain of said controls under the control of said manual or pedal keyboards selectively, and means under conrol of the ope ator tor varying the intensity of action of the hammers against the strings. In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of April, 1922.

CARLETON H. BULL IS.

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